When you talk of the clamours of Edinburgh, I will not
remind you of a tempest in a pot, for that would be to do injustice to the
metropolis of the north; but a hurricane in a horse-pond is a simile useful for
conveying my meaning, and not unjust to the venerable city of Edinburgh.
——’sreview is imprudent in the expressions—more
than wrong in its doctrines; but you will not die of it this time, and are, I
believe, more frightened than hurt. As for me, I am very busy, and question
much whether I shall be able to

It is perfectly fair that any other set of men should set
up a Review, and, in my opinion,
very immaterial.

In all probability it is all over with Spain, and if so,
probably there is an end of Europe; the rest will be a downhill struggle: I
cannot help it, and so will be merry to the last. Allen writes word that the Junta has been very remiss, and
Moore, that there is no enthusiasm
at all; in addition, it is now said that there never have been more than
seventy thousand men in arms.

John Allen (1771-1843)
Scottish physician and intimate of Lord Holland; he contributed to the Edinburgh Review and Encyclopedia Britannica and published
Inquiry into the Rise and Growth of the Royal Prerogative in
England (1830). He was the avowed atheist of the Holland House set.

Henry Peter Brougham, first baron Brougham and Vaux (1778-1868)
Educated at Edinburgh University, he was a founder of the Edinburgh
Review in which he chastised Byron's Hours of Idleness; he
defended Queen Caroline in her trial for adultery (1820), established the London University
(1828), and was appointed lord chancellor (1830).

Francis Jeffrey, Lord Jeffrey (1773-1850)
Scottish barrister, Whig MP, and co-founder and editor of the Edinburgh
Review (1802-29). As a reviewer he was the implacable foe of the Lake School of
poetry.

Sir John Moore (1761-1809)
A hero of the Peninsular Campaign, killed at the Battle of Corunna; he was the son of Dr.
John Moore, the author of Zeluco.

The Quarterly Review. (1809-1967). Published by John Murray, the Quarterly was instigated by Walter
Scott as a Tory rival to the Edinburgh Review. It was edited by
William Gifford to 1824, and by John Gibson Lockhart from 1826 to 1853.